Rise Of The Retail Robot: 69% Of Businesses Plan To Increase Tech To Drive Sales

80% of consumers say they would spend more with a retailer if they had advanced tech at their disposal while shopping either in-store or online

69% of businesses plan to invest in robots over the next five years in order to drive sales and boost consumer engagement, according to a report by Salmon.

The survey of business owners’ attitudes to tech revealed that 61% are currently investing in Internet of Things (IoT) enablement, with 53% looking towards the rise in popularity of voice control tech as an area of opportunity.

Virtual and augmented reality, now increasingly popular in the gaming sector, is also being earmarked by 59% of respondents as something they could potentially offer customers in the not-so-distant future.

An important consideration for business owners, 80% of consumers surveyed said they would spend more with a retailer if they had advanced tech at their disposal while shopping either in-store or online.

However, despite the apparent advantages for investing in increased robotics, a significant number of those surveyed remain sceptical, with 47% admitting they previously invested in tech that has proved to be a waste of money.

While 36% find it difficult to commit to new technology for fear they could be investing in the wrong area.

Patrick Munden, global head of marketing and retail at Salmon, said:

“Exploring the latest technologies is no longer a nice-to-have but a must-have for any businesses expecting to drive sales and improve their customer experience.”

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